Chef Steven Bennett leaves The Comfy Duck

Chef Steven Bennett has left the two-AA-rosette Comfy Duck restaurant at the Oaklands Hall Hotel to pursue his own catering business.

He has stepped down from his role as director, shareholder and chef at the Laceby hotel after five years at the property.

Bennett launched The Comfy Duck in 2012 and oversaw the restaurant win its double rosette status in 2016.

Writing on his Facebook page, the chef said he wanted to ‘put Lincolnshire produce on the foodie map’ with his catering company The Lincolnshire Chef.

“In the past five years not only have we built a team of 73 incredible staff, won best restaurant in Lincolnshire three years running and been awarded two rosettes, but we've built some life-long relationships through working with numerous charities, schools and local like-minded businesses,” Bennett wrote.

“Over the next few months, myself and The Lincolnshire Chef team will be focusing on growing our outside catering and working with some very exciting national brands, helping to put Lincolnshire produce on the foodie map.“

Prior to joining the Oaklands Hall Hotel the chef cooked at the Michelin-starred Star Inn in North Yorkshire, Wintering Fields in Lincolnshire and the Harts Hotel in Nottingham.